Sabarimala temple has been into discussions for some time. The Travancore Devaswom Board is considering compulsory antigen tests for devotees before they begin their climb to Sanidhanam during the Mandala pilgrimage season beginning from November 15. The Devaswom Board is joining up with the state health department for administering the antigen tests at Nilakkal. As per the plan, only those who test negative would be allowed to hike to Sannidhanam. The final judgment will be taken at the meeting that is going to be chaired by the chief minister.
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In view of the present COVID – 19 conditions in the state, the health department has decided to scale up medical facilities at Sannidhanam, Nilakkal and Pamba. The government is preparing to take over Amritha Hospital in the area for establishing emergency medical facilities for the pilgrims. The Devaswom board wants to assure that only 50 people are permitted in Sannidhanam at a time. The wayfaring will be strictly through the virtual queue system of the state police.
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Earlier the board had planned to allow pilgrims who produce COVID negative certificates that is to be obtained a few days before the pilgrimage. Since the journey from their respective places to Sabarimala could take three to four days, the possibility of the pilgrims getting infected during transit cannot be ruled out. Moreover, it will be difficult for the authorities here to validate the authenticity of all Covid negative certificates issued to pilgrims in other states. The board believes that under these circumstances mandatory antigen tests will be more effective.
